Sheet-metal wheel or roller



F. S. MORTON.

SHEET METAL WHEEL 0R ROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, 1921.

. 1 1 Patented Sept. 12, 1922 INVENTOR FRED 5. MORTON AT ToRNEYs Patented Sept. 12, 1 922.

FRED s. mon'ron, or wonons'rnn, massacnnsnr'rs.

SHEET-METAL WHEEL on Roman.

Application filed February 19, 1921. Serial No. 446,223.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED S. MORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Sheet-Metal Wheel or Roller, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is particularly adapted for a sheet metal roller skate wheel.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved construction by which one of the flanges is connected with the rim in such a manner that the cost will be reduced but 1111 strength and durability W111 be maintained, and at the same time the ball bearing case will be re-enforced and strengthened.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a central sectional view of a com plete roller constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view, of the same;

Fig.3 is. a similar view of one of the flanges before assembling;

Fig. i is a central sectional view of the latter;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the other flange; and

Fig. 6 is a central sectional view thereof.

I have shown the invention as applied to a wheel or roller having a central shaft or stud 10 provided with a circumferential groove 11 for receiving the bearing balls 12. Ball cases or cups 13 are used for retaining the balls in the grooves, of the usual construction.

I provide a sheet metal flange 14 adapted to constitute one side of the wheel, and having a circular inner portion 15 of curved cross section to fit on the outside of one of the ball cases 13 and strengthen it throughout a large part of its area. This part is designed tofit it accurately and hold it firmly in position, and constitutes really a re-enforcing flange for it. The ball case therefore really consists of an inner hardened case 13 and an outer un-hardened wall 15.

The member 14 is brought outwardly in conical form from the circumference of this curved portion to form the flange proper, and at its outer edge it is curved over to form an annular ring 16 which in itself constitutes a very strong feature and acts, on account of its curvature on the outside and fiat surface on the inside, to help in holding the parts together as will appear.

The other flange 20 also has an inner curved part 21 like the part 15 fitting the other ball case 13 and performing the same function as the part 15. It likewise has a con1cal portion 22 constituting the flange proper, making the same angle to the central plane as the corresponding part on the other side. This member 4 is then' bent around into cylindrical form to constitute the rim or tread 23. This tread on the opposite edge inside is shaped to form a square shoulder 2 1 for receiving the flat edge of the annular projection 16. Behind it there is a circular rib 25. The edge of this shoulder and rib. constitutes a stop for locating the opposite flange 14. Beyond the shoulder 24 the tread 23 is tapered off to provide a circular extension 26.

In assembling, the balls are placed. on

Then this as a whole is applied to the blank 20. The part 14 is applied thereto, the annu-- lar projection 16 just fitting in the space inside the circular projection 26. This projection is then spun or otherwise bent over the curved edge of this annular projection 16 as shown clearly in Fig. 1. This firmly holds the parts in position in a very simple and expeditious manner and locks the Whole wheel so that the parts cannot become separated accidentally. It constitutes a very simple way of assembling the parts finally, and also avoids the necessity. of rivets and other fastening devices.

It will be seen that the inner members 15 and. 21, coming into close contact with the ball casing 13, strengthen that materially, and therefore comparatively-thin metal can be used for both of these purposes. The ball case 13 is of course hardened in the usual way while the outer members 15 and 21 are of ordinary soft pressed metal.

This is a very simple construction although involving more parts than some that have been invented, yet providing a construction in which the ball case can be of hardened material, therefore affording a device that can be manufactured andassembled in a practical manner. There are no unnecessary parts and the several parts act to help strengthen each other.

Although I have illustrated and described only a single form of the invention I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in'the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but what I do claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a roller or wheel having a pair of hardened ball cases complete in themselves and also having two flanges each provided with a curved inner portion in contact throughout a'wide areawith the exterior surface of said ball cases and having a conical flange extending outwardly from the exterior of the same at oposite inclinations, one of them having an integral tread extending from the edge thereof backwardly over the edge of the other and provided with a shoulder at that edge for engaging the outer edge of the other flange, the extreme edge of the tread being thinned down and bent'over the edge of the memes opposite flange to hold .the parts together. 2. As an article of manufacture, a sheet metal wheel or roller comprising a ball case of hardened metal and two opposite members, each having a circular inner portion of curved cross section fitting the exterior of a half of the ball case and extending outwardly therefrom, one of said flanges being bent over at its outer edge to form an annular projection having a square shoulder perpendicular to the axis of the wheel and a curved outer surface extending from the extreme edge thereof, the other flange having an integral tread provided with a shoulder the inside of which fits against said square shoulder and is bent over beyond said shoulder into intimate contact with said rounded surface of the first named flange.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature,

FRED S. MORTUN. 

